It's finally time to head off to college. You've got your boxes packed, your supplies ready, and your classes picked. But do you have the most important things you'll need to successfully make the transition from high school to college? Do you have the self-knowledge, self-discipline and self-confidence to meet the challenges of college?

A college student must have an array of skills to help meet the many academic, social, and emotional demands of campus life. To assess your readiness for college (or that of someone close to you), check each skill that you believe you have.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…

____ analyze course demands and plan your study time accordingly?

____ take accurate and clear notes on a lecture in your own words?

____ read actively so that you remember what you read?

____ study on your own for at least 15-20 hours per week?

____ express yourself clearly on paper?

____ take a multiple-choice test successfully?

____ think critically about a topic and express your opinions in writing?

IF SO, YOU'RE READY FOR THE ACADEMIC DEMANDS OF COLLEGE.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…

____ get yourself out of bed and to class on your own?

____ balance study time with socializing and time alone?

____ stay calm and focused during an exam?

____ cope effectively when you're anxious or depressed?

____ stay motivated when you are frustrated or have failed?

____ find ways to relax when you're stressed?

IF SO, YOU'RE READY TO MANAGE YOURSELF IN COLLEGE.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…

____ keep your own biases in check so that you can interact with

someone who is different than you in race, gender, age, religion,

culture, or sexual orientation?

____ stay open to and respectful of someone who has different

values or ideas or lifestyle than yours?

____ acknowledge your biases and prejudices and work to reduce them?

IF SO, YOU'RE READY FOR THE MULTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE OF COLLEGE.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…

____ ask questions when you don't know or understand something?

____ introduce yourself to someone and initiate a conversation?

____ disagree with someone and negotiate a compromise?

____ say no when you don't want to do something? (e.g., drugs, sex)

____ get close to someone without becoming too dependent or losing

yourself?

IF SO, YOU'RE READY FOR THE INTERPERSONAL DEMANDS OF COLLEGE.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…

____ identify your own reasons for attending college?

____ list things that you like and things that you're good at?

____ recognize what is important to you in life?

IF SO, YOU'RE READY TO SET GOALS IN COLLEGE AND CHOOSE A MAJOR.

WILL YOU BE ABLE TO…

____ recognize when you have a problem?

____ ask for help?

____ make mistakes without losing confidence in yourself?

____ identify resources where you can get assistance?

IF SO, YOU'RE READY TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS OF COLLEGE.

If you identify areas where your skills are not as highly developed, consider using the services of the University of Maryland Counseling Center. Our Learning Assistance Service can help you develop the academic skills to help you manage the transition to college. Our Counseling Service can help you develop self-management, interpersonal and career skills. We can be reached at:

Learning Assistance Service 301-314-7693 2201 Shoemaker Building

Counseling Service 301-314-7651 Lobby of Shoemaker Building

All our services are free and confidential to currently enrolled University of Maryland College Park students.